The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-25
sixty Thousand Mon Ordered TO Strike.

sixty Thousand Mon Ordered Strike.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 24-The first convention
OF the new district assembly of Reading rail-
road employees was held here this afternoon,
having been hurriedly called to consider the
troubles which have arisen among the coal
handlers at Port Richmond and Elizabethpo-t
during the past few days About seventy-fve
delegates were in attendance. representing every
branch of employees of the road, from the coal
handlers to the miners, and including all classes
of train It was after 8 o'clock when the
convention WAS called to order and after four
hours elaboration an order was issued for a
general strike on all the lines operated by tho
Reading company, with the exception of those
in passenger service, the order to include all
employees at the company's mines. The order
will affect nearly $4,000 men. Committees from
Port Richmond and Elizabethport presented
their grievances to the convention. The repre-.
sentatives from Elizabethport stated that the
Knights there were discharged for refusing to
load Coke Bros barge. They had understood
that the Reading company was not to interfere
in the Lehieh strike but to load Coke Bros
barge would be aiding the Lehigh operators, and
this the men refused to do while many Schuykiil
barges were lying idle at the piers They stated
that fifty men had been discharged the officials
refusing to settle the trouble by arbitration.
A similar complaint of a refusal on the part
of the officials to arbitrate presented by the
Port Richmond Representatives The convention
then went into executive session, and upon its
conclusion announced that there would be a
avail <io-,, oil Ill
coal trains on the road. 1t was stated further
that the passenger men would also be ordered
out soon if it should be found necessary.
The convention adopted resolutions censuri . |
the company for violating the thirteenth article
OF the agreement made year ago between the |
officers of the company and the employees, which |
reads follows Every man employed BY the |
ompany snah receive falr and just investiea-
ton OF any grievance or complaint entered
against him before he shall be discharged or sus-
pended" In view Of this violation. and the
company's refusal to arbitrate the differences
with the committee appointed to settle
the difficulty. the convention decided
to order out all employees of the Read
train men. signal men, switch mon and gate
keepers. This order was issued at once and
word was selegraphed to all the stations on the
system. Resolutions We're adopted deprecatine
the presence of the police. It also unani-
mously resolved that the employees Of the com
pany, q committee representing them, refuse
TO meet the officers of the company until guar
antee shall be given that the articles of agree
ment would be strictly adhered to and un til the
dismissed men shall De reinstated.
The convention will resume it's session tomor-
row TO hear complaints and direct general plan
OF resistance
A prominent member OF the order of the
Knights of Labor, directly connected with the
strike movement said tonight: 1--WE are
+ financially prepared for a six-months strike.
We intend to maintain position, and if
necessary call out the passenger train men, but
that will happen only in case of extreme emer-
eency. This movement affects ZOO men in this
,ity. and 60, 900 in all, but with all this
army to support we do not fear for a successful
ssue."
All the local assemblies of PHILADELPHIA con-
nected with this strike met to night and adopted
resolutions supporting the decision of the con-
Vention
SHAMoKIN. Pa. Dec. At is said that the
-aroad employees of the Mahanoy q Shamokin
division of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad
20 mpany will strike late to night and that all |
rains except passengers will be stopped. The
strike is the outcome af the Port Richmond diff
icuty. and the coal production of the Phi iladel-
,hia & Reading Coal and Iron Company will be
topped consequences. |
The miners are in sympathy with the railroad |
men, and will refuse to mine coal should tho
company endeavor to place non-union men on
he road
Committee of the Knights of Labor and the
il iners' Amalgamated Association. met in this
ity thus morning subcommittee proceeded
o the Office of General Manager Whiting for the
purpose of comforting with him in reference to
he matter of miners wages for the coming
ear. The conference continued through two
essons. forenoon and afternoon. 1t is under
TODD that the committee insisted upon the rate
{ which the men are at present working, which
per cent. advance the 50 so basis, while
he company declines to guarantee any, thing be-
ond maintenance of the present basis 1t is
Understood that when the conference broke up
o conclusion had been reached. but that Man :
ger Whiting stated that the demand would be- !
admitted to President Corbin for his decision /
is not Anticipated here that the demand of
m will be concealed md in hat =
en- eral strike will probably follow. Assembly 0
20. 1859. held long session here to-day at $
hich il resolved to stand by the Port Rich /
lond men. and strike if desired 20 do so. This |
ssembly is composed chiefly OF Reading train :
len.
Attitude of the Company. :
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 24-General Manager S
IcLeod said to night that the question involved 5
as not one of wages but whether the company
,ould manage it's own affairs or whether thew